Police Search For Witnesses To Shooting That Killed Bothell Cop

SEATTLE, WA — Investigators are trying to track down the occupants of a vehicle that they say may have seen the deadly shooting that killed Bothell Police Officer Jonathan Shoop.

Shoop was killed on July 13, after he and another officer attempted to pull over a car on SR 522. Instead of stopping, the driver, later identified by prosecutors as 37-year-old Henry Eugene Washington, led the officers on a chase that ended when he crashed his car. Police say Eugene then drew a gun and shot at the officers. Shoop was killed in the crossfire as the other officer returned fire at Washington.

Washington was later arrested and charged with aggravated first degree murder, attempted murder first degree, and vehicular assault. Prosecutors have confirmed that they will pursue the murder charge, even though Washington did not fire the killing blow.

Meanwhile, the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team, or SMART, has been called in to investigate the moments leading up to Shoop's death and say they've found an important lead in their investigation: a car that was stuck behind Shoop's patrol SUV right when the first shots were fired. SMART says they believe the occupants of the car may have been key witnesses to the shooting, and are hoping to track them down.

Officers have released this security still showing the vehicle leaving the scene:

Detectives say they think the car is a white 1992 - 2002 Toyota 4Runner. They're asking anyone who was inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting to call the SMART Tip Line at (425) 262-2800. Information uncovered by this investigation will be given for prosecutors for review and possible use in court.